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What is gonorrhoea?

profile picture of James Stevenson
Lead Physician, Bupa Health Clinics
11 December 2024
Next review due December 2027

Gonorrhoea is a type of sexually transmitted infection (STI). It’s one of the most common STIs in the UK. It can affect anyone who is sexually active. So how can you tell if you have gonorrhoea, and how is it treated? I’ll explain more about this common STI here.

A young couple looking at a tablet

What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea?

Many people with genital gonorrhoea don’t have any symptoms at all. But if you do have symptoms, they’ll usually appear within two to 10 days of infection. Gonorrhoea symptoms can include:

  • an unusual discharge from your penis or vagina- this could be white, yellow or green
  • pain when you pee, or difficultly passing urine
  • painful or swollen testicles

Some symptoms can occur when the vaginal tract is infected. These include:

  • pain in your lower belly (abdomen)
  • pain when you have sex
  • heavier periods
  • bleeding between periods or when you have sex

You can have a gonorrhoea infection in your rectum (part of the large intestine connecting the bowel to the anus). This can cause pain, discomfort, itching, and discharge from your anus.

If you get the infection in your eyes, it can cause conjunctivitis. You may have pain, swelling and discharge from the affected eye. A gonorrhoea infection in your throat can occasionally cause a sore throat.

How serious is gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is easily treated. But it can cause serious complications if it’s left untreated. These can include:

  • problems affecting your reproductive organs. This includes the fallopian tubes and womb.
  • reduced fertility or infertility.
  • problems with your joints and skin.

Getting treatment early means gonorrhoea is unlikely to cause these problems.

What causes gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is an infection caused by a bacteria. You can get it from having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person.

It can affect your:

  • genital area
  • throat
  • rectum
  • eyes

When should you get tested for gonorrhoea?

It’s important to get tested as soon as you can if you think you might have symptoms of gonorrhoea. You should also have a test if you think you could have been exposed to an STI. Even if you don’t have any symptoms. This might be if you’ve had unprotected sex with a new partner, or if a regular partner tells you they have an STI.

How do you get tested for gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea tests may involve giving a urine sample. You might also need (often self-taken) swabs from your vagina, rectum, or throat. Sometimes a health professional will need to take specific gonorrhoea swabs from the:

  • penis
  • vagina
  • rectum
  • throat

There are several ways to get a test. You can go to a genitourinary medicine (GUM) or sexual health clinic. In several areas now you can have a self-test kit posted to your address. Or you can ask at your GP practice. You can also pay for tests at a private clinic.

How is gonorrhoea treated?

Gonorrhoea is treated with antibiotics. You may be offered gonorrhoea treatment before your test results are back. This is likely if your partner has a confirmed diagnosis of gonorrhoea. You usually take the antibiotics as an injection. But, depending on which type of gonorrhoea you have, you can sometimes have these as tablets.

Telling others

It’s important to let any current and recent partners know that you have gonorrhoea. The staff at the clinic can help you to do this. They will always keep your details confidential. It’s best not to have sex until at least a week after both you and your partner have finished treatment.

How can I reduce my risk or getting or passing on gonorrhoea?

There are many things you can do to lower your risk of getting or passing on gonorrhoea. This will also reduce your chance of getting other sexually transmitted infections.

  • Use a condom during vaginal, oral, or anal sex with the penis. Female condoms are also becoming more widely available.
  • During oral sex, a latex square (dental dam) can be used to cover the anus and vaginal opening, including the area around it.
  • Don’t share sex toys. If you do, wash them well or cover them with a new condom before anyone else uses them.

Before you have unprotected sex with somebody new, have a test for gonorrhoea and other STIs.


We offer a range of sexual health services within our Bupa Health Centres. So whether you have symptoms and need to speak to a GP or don't have symptoms but want a check to see if you currently have an STI we have a check to suit you. Any customers who test positive receive a follow up with a GP and support from our 24/7 Nurse HealthLine. Learn more today.

profile picture of James Stevenson
Dr James Stevenson (he/him)
Lead Physician, Bupa Health Clinics

 

Co-author

Julia Ebbens, Health Content Editor at Bupa UK

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